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Scientific Reports May 2024Bartonella quintana, the causative agent of trench fever, is an intracellular bacterium that infects human erythrocytes and vascular endothelial cells. For many years,... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Bartonella quintana, the causative agent of trench fever, is an intracellular bacterium that infects human erythrocytes and vascular endothelial cells. For many years, humans were considered the only natural hosts for B. quintana; however, it was recently discovered that wild Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) also serve as hosts for B. quintana. To elucidate the genetic characteristics of the B. quintana strain MF1-1 isolated from a Japanese macaque, we determined the complete genome sequence of the strain and compared it with those of strain Toulouse from a human and strain RM-11 from a rhesus macaque. General genomic features and orthologous gene cluster profiles are similar among the three strains, and strain MF1-1 is genetically closer to strain RM-11 than strain Toulouse based on the average nucleotide identity values; however, a significant inversion of approximately 0.68 Mb was detected in the chromosome of strain MF1-1. Moreover, the Japanese macaque strains lacked the bepA gene, which is responsible for anti-apoptotic function, and the trwL2, trwL4, and trwL6 genes, which may be involved in adhesion to erythrocytes of rhesus macaque and human. These features likely represent the genomic traits acquired by Japanese macaque strains in their host-associated evolution.
Topics: Animals; Macaca mulatta; Humans; Genome, Bacterial; Macaca fuscata; Bartonella quintana; Phylogeny; Genomics; Trench Fever
PubMed: 38740807
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61782-0 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases May 2024Rodents are recognized as the hosts of many vector-borne bacteria and protozoan parasites and play an important role in their transmission and maintenance. Intensive...
BACKGROUND
Rodents are recognized as the hosts of many vector-borne bacteria and protozoan parasites and play an important role in their transmission and maintenance. Intensive studies have focused on their infections in vectors, especially in ticks, however, vector-borne bacterial and protozoan infections in rodents are poorly understood although human cases presenting with fever may due to their infection have been found.
METHODS
From May to October 2019, 192 wild rodents were trapped in wild environment of Guangxi Province, and the spleen samples were collected to reveal the presence of vector-borne bacterial and protozoan infections in them. The microorganisms in rodents were identified by detecting their DNA using (semi-)nested PCR. All the PCR products of the expected size were subjected to sequencing, and then analyzed by BLASTn. Furthermore, all the recovered sequences were subjected to nucleotide identity and phylogenetic analyses.
RESULTS
As a result, 192 rodents representing seven species were captured, and Bandicota indica were the dominant species, followed by Rattus andamanensis. Based on the (semi-)nested PCR, our results suggested that Anaplasma bovis, Anaplasma capra, Anaplasma ovis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis", "Candidatus E. hainanensis", "Candidatus E. zunyiensis", three uncultured Ehrlichia spp., Bartonella coopersplainsensis, Bartonella tribocorum, Bartonella rattimassiliensis, Bartonella silvatica, two uncultured Bartonella spp., Babesia microti and diverse Hepatozoon were identified in six rodent species. More importantly, six species (including two Anaplasma, two Bartonella, "Ca. N. mikurensis" and Bab. microti) are zoonotic pathogens except Anaplasma bovis and Anaplasma ovis with zoonotic potential. Furthermore, dual infection was observed between different microorganisms, and the most common type of co-infection is between "Ca. N. mikurensis" and other microorganisms. Additionally, potential novel Bartonella species and Hepatozoon species demonstrated the presence of more diverse rodent-associated Bartonella and Hepatozoon.
CONCLUSIONS
The results in this work indicated great genetic diversity of vector-borne infections in wild rodents, and highlighted the potential risk of human pathogens transmitted from rodents to humans through vectors.
PubMed: 38739673
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012159 -
Parasites & Vectors May 2024Feline-associated hemotropic Mycoplasma (hemoplasmas) are believed to be transmitted by two primary mechanisms: (1) direct transmission via fighting and (2) vector-borne... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Feline-associated hemotropic Mycoplasma (hemoplasmas) are believed to be transmitted by two primary mechanisms: (1) direct transmission via fighting and (2) vector-borne transmission by the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis). While the efficiency of transmission by C. felis appears low, most manuscripts focus on the prevalence of hemoplasmas in wild-caught fleas and report either a very low (< 3%) or a high (> 26%) prevalence. Therefore, we aimed to assess the influence of sample processing and PCR methods on C. felis hemoplasma infection prevalence.
METHODS
A systemic review of PubMed articles identified 13 manuscripts (1,531 fleas/flea pools) that met the inclusion criteria (performed PCR for >1 hemoplasma on C. felis collected from cats). Risk of bias was assessed utilizing the ROBINS-E tool. Meta-analysis performed in R of these manuscripts found that not washing samples and a common set of 16S rRNA primers first published in Jensen et al. 2001 were associated with increased hemoplasma prevalence. To evaluate the influence of washing on newly collected fleas, we assessed the hemoplasma status of 20 pools of 5 C. felis each, half of which were washed and half not washed.
RESULTS
Flea washing did not influence the detection of hemoplasma but instead amplified Spiroplasma. To assess non-specific amplification with the Jensen et al. 2001 primers, 67 C. felis samples (34% previously reported hemoplasma infected) were subject to PCR and sequencing. By this method, hemoplasma was detected in only 3% of samples. In the remaining "hemoplasma infected" fleas, PCR amplified Spiroplasma or other bacteria.
CONCLUSIONS
Therefore, we concluded that hemoplasma infection in C. felis is rare, and future flea prevalence studies should sequence all positive amplicons to validate PCR specificity. Further investigation of alternative methods of feline-associated hemoplasma transmission and the ability of C. felis to maintain hemoplasma infection is necessary.
Topics: Animals; Mycoplasma; Ctenocephalides; Cats; Cat Diseases; Mycoplasma Infections; Flea Infestations; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prevalence; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
PubMed: 38720359
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06292-8 -
The Brazilian Journal of Infectious... Apr 2024Leprosy reactions are among the main causes of physical disability resulting from an infectious disease and can culminate in irreversible physical disabilities,...
Leprosy reactions are among the main causes of physical disability resulting from an infectious disease and can culminate in irreversible physical disabilities, therefore they should be considered a clinical emergency, as well as the elucidation of its cause. Co-infections are considered one of the main triggering causes of leprosy reactions, aggravating and maintaining these reactions for longer in these patients. After reporting a high rate of Bartonella henselae infection in patients with chronic type 2 leprosy reaction, 19/47 (40.4 %) compared to the control group, 9/50 (18.0 %), p = 0.0149, we conducted this study to observe the rate of infection by Bartonella sp. in a group of patients with chronic type 1 leprosy reactions. Blood samples from 14 patients with chronic type 1 leprosy reactions were analyzed by molecular and microbiological tests and compared. The results showed that, like patients with chronic type 2 leprosy reactions, this group of patients has a high proportion of B. henselae infection 6/14 (42.9 %), p = 0.88. We conclude that these bacteria can trigger chronic leprosy reactions and should be investigated in all chronic leprosy reactions patients. Summary Line: Our results showed that, like patients with chronic type 2 leprosy reactions, this group of patients has the same proportion of B. henselae DNA detection 6/14 (42.9 %), p = 0.88.
PubMed: 38697215
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2024.103743 -
Microorganisms Mar 2024Systemic infection, also known as cat-scratch disease (CSD), presents a diagnostic challenge due to the variability of clinical manifestations and the potential for...
Systemic infection, also known as cat-scratch disease (CSD), presents a diagnostic challenge due to the variability of clinical manifestations and the potential for serological cross-reactivity with other organisms. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and imaging characteristics of pediatric patients diagnosed with systemic infection, to improve understanding and facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment. We conducted a 10-year retrospective study at the "Louis Turcanu" Children's Emergency Hospital and private clinics in Timisoara, Romania, reviewing records for confirmed cases of infection from January 2014 to January 2024. The study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and received approval from the Institutional Review Board. Diagnostic criteria included contact with animals, prolonged fever, hematological and/or hepatosplenic manifestations, and positive serological tests for . Nineteen pediatric patients were identified with a median age of 8.1 years. The majority were exposed to felines (94.7%), reflecting the disease's epidemiological profile. Clinical findings highlighted fever (47.4%), lymphadenopathy (78.9%), and less frequently, abdominal pain and headache (both 10.5%). Laboratory analyses revealed a mean hemoglobin of 12.6 mg/dL, WBC count of 13.1 × 10 cells/microliter, and platelet count of 340.6 × 10 per microliter. Significant findings included elevation in ESR and CRP in 47.4% and 21.1% of patients, respectively, and high seropositivity rates for IgM (63.2%) and IgG (94.7%). Imaging studies demonstrated widespread lymphadenopathy and occasional splenomegaly and hepatic microabscesses. All patients received antibiotic therapy, with azithromycin being the most commonly used (94.7%). Co-infections with Epstein-Barr Virus, Cytomegalovirus, and were documented, indicating the complex infectious status of the patients. Systemic infection in children predominantly manifests with fever and lymphadenopathy, with a significant history of exposure to felines. Laboratory and imaging findings support the diagnosis, which is further complicated by potential co-infections. Effective antibiotic therapy, primarily with azithromycin, underscores the need for comprehensive diagnostic and treatment strategies. This study emphasizes the importance of considering systemic infection in pediatric patients with prolonged fever and contact with cats, to ensure timely and appropriate treatment.
PubMed: 38674610
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040666 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024is associated with numerous clinical syndromes in people. Cats are the definitive hosts for , develop high levels of bacteremia, and are associated with human...
is associated with numerous clinical syndromes in people. Cats are the definitive hosts for , develop high levels of bacteremia, and are associated with human infections, particularly in the presence of . Several antibiotic protocols used for the treatment of infection in cats have failed to clear bacteremia. The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a high-dose pradofloxacin protocol to eliminate bacteremia. infection was initiated in 8 cats by intravenous inoculation of infected feline blood and then pradofloxacin was administered at 7.5 mg/kg, PO, twice daily for 28 days, starting 12 weeks after inoculation. Complete blood cell counts were performed prior to pradofloxacin administration and then every 2 weeks for 10 weeks. PCR assay was performed prior to pradofloxacin administration and approximately every 2 weeks for 10 weeks and then weekly for 4 weeks. Methylprednisolone acetate (5 mg/kg) was administered by intramuscular injection to all cats on week 10. The cats remained normal and none developed a hematocrit, platelet count, lymphocyte count, or neutrophil count outside of the normal reference ranges. In the one month prior to pradofloxacin administration, all cats were PCR-positive for DNA on at least two of four sample dates; after pradofloxacin administration, all cats were negative for DNA in blood on all nine sample dates. The protocol appears to be safe and failure to amplify DNA from the blood after the administration of pradofloxacin and one dose of methylprednisolone acetate suggests either an antibiotic effect or the organism was cleared spontaneously.
PubMed: 38668291
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13040336 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Apr 2024Cat scratch disease (CSD) is caused by Bartonella henselae (B. henselae) and presents as lymphadenopathy following close contact with cats. However, in context of the... (Review)
Review
Cat scratch disease (CSD) is caused by Bartonella henselae (B. henselae) and presents as lymphadenopathy following close contact with cats. However, in context of the global COVID-19 pandemic, clinical manifestations of CSD may vary, posing new challenges for healthcare professionals. Here we describe a case of a 54-year-old male with painful left upper arm mass, which gradually resolved until he was infected with COVID-19. The mass then rapidly progressed before admission. Meanwhile, pulmonary symptoms including pleural effusion emerged simultaneously. The cause was undetermined with routine blood culture and pathological test until the next generation sequencing (NGS) confirmed the presence of B. henselae. We believe this case is the first to report localized aggravation of CSD after COVID-19 infection and hopefully, offers treatment experience for clinicians worldwide.
Topics: Humans; Male; COVID-19; Bartonella henselae; Cat-Scratch Disease; Middle Aged; Latent Infection; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 38649899
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09336-7 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2024Rodents have been confirmed as hosts of various vector-borne zoonotic pathogens and are important for the maintenance of these microbes in nature. However, surveillance...
Rodents have been confirmed as hosts of various vector-borne zoonotic pathogens and are important for the maintenance of these microbes in nature. However, surveillance for zoonotic pathogens is limited for many wild rodent species in China, so our knowledge of pathogen ecology, genetic diversity, and the risk of cross-species transmission to humans is limited. In this study, 165 spleen samples of Daurian ground squirrels () were collected from Weichang Manchu and the Mongolian Autonomous County of Hebei Province, China, and , , and were identified by DNA detection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sequence analysis identified eight bacterial pathogens: , , R. longicornii, , , , , and Anaplasma cinensis. Co-infection of and in one sample was observed. Our results demonstrated the genetic diversity of bacteria in Daurian ground squirrels and contributed to the distribution of these pathogens. Six species, , , , R. longicornii, , and , are known to be pathogenic to humans, indicating a potential public health risk to the local human population, especially to herders who frequently have close contact with Daurian ground squirrels and are thus exposed to their ectoparasites.
PubMed: 38605713
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1359797 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Apr 2024Cutaneous bacillary angiomatosis (cBA) is a vascular proliferative disorder due to Bartonella spp. that mostly affects people living with HIV (PLWH), transplanted...
BACKGROUND
Cutaneous bacillary angiomatosis (cBA) is a vascular proliferative disorder due to Bartonella spp. that mostly affects people living with HIV (PLWH), transplanted patients and those taking immunosuppressive drugs. Since cBA is mostly related to these major immunocompromising conditions (i.e., T-cell count impairment), it is considered rare in relatively immunocompetent patients and could be underdiagnosed in them. Moreover, antimicrobial treatment in this population has not been previously investigated.
METHODS
We searched the databases PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, OpenAIRE and ScienceDirect by screening articles whose title included the keywords "bacillary" AND "angiomatosis" and included case reports about patients not suffering from major immunocompromising conditions to provide insights about antibiotic treatments and their duration.
RESULTS
Twenty-two cases of cBA not related to major immunocompromising conditions were retrieved. Antibiotic treatment duration was shorter in patients with single cBA lesion than in patients with multiple lesions, including in most cases macrolides and tetracyclines.
CONCLUSIONS
cBA is an emerging manifestation of Bartonella spp. infection in people not suffering from major immunocompromising conditions. Until evidence-based guidelines are available, molecular tests together with severity and extension of the disease can be useful to personalize the type of treatment and its duration.
Topics: Humans; Angiomatosis, Bacillary; Skin; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Immunocompromised Host
PubMed: 38589795
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09253-9 -
Microbiology Spectrum Apr 2024Vector-borne infections may underlie some rheumatic diseases, particularly in people with joint effusions. This study aimed to compare serum and synovial fluid... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
UNLABELLED
Vector-borne infections may underlie some rheumatic diseases, particularly in people with joint effusions. This study aimed to compare serum and synovial fluid antibodies to and spp. in patients with rheumatic diseases. This observational, cross-sectional study examined paired synovial fluid and serum specimens collected from 110 patients with joint effusion between October 2017 and January 2022. Testing for antibodies to (using CDC criteria) and spp. two indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assays was performed as part of routine patient care at the Institute for Specialized Medicine (San Diego, CA, USA). There were 30 participants (27%) with positive two-tier serology and 26 participants (24%) with IFA seroreactivity (≥1:256) to and/or . Both IgM and IgG were detected more frequently in synovial fluid than serum: 27% of patients were either IgM or IgG positive in synovial fluid, compared to 15.5% in serum ( = 0.048). Conversely, and antibodies were detected more frequently in serum than synovial fluid; overall only 2% of patients had positive IFA titers in synovial fluid, compared to 24% who had positive IFA titers in serum ( < 0.001). There were no significant associations between or spp. seroreactivity with any of the clinical rheumatological diagnoses. This study provides preliminary support for the importance of synovial fluid antibody testing for documenting exposure to but not for documenting exposure to spp.
IMPORTANCE
This study focuses on diagnostic testing for two common vector-borne diseases in an affected patient population. In it, we provide data showing that antibodies to , but not spp., are more commonly found in synovial fluid than serum of patients with joint effusion. Since Lyme arthritis is a common-and sometimes difficult to diagnose-rheumatic disease, improving diagnostic capabilities is of utmost importance. While our findings are certainly not definitive for changes to practice, they do suggest that synovial fluid could be a useful sample for the clinical diagnosis of Lyme disease, and future prospective studies evaluating this claim are warranted.
Topics: Humans; Bartonella; Borrelia burgdorferi; Synovial Fluid; Cross-Sectional Studies; Prospective Studies; Lyme Disease; Immunoglobulin G; Antibodies, Bacterial; Immunoglobulin M; Rheumatic Diseases
PubMed: 38483477
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01653-23